Letter From The Chair – March 2026

Dear Friends

Here we are with spring well on its way with the daffodils waving their bright yellow heads in the wind. What a difference a day makes, as I am siting here in lovely sunshine, whereas yesterday it was raining cats and dogs. The wind is still blowing, keeping the temperatures nippy out of the sunshine, so not giving up the coat and gloves yet.

Talking of the weather, it made the Garden Group’s trip interesting last week. Woke up to rain, then sleet and finally snow and we were off to Kiplin Hall for a snowdrop stroll. Luckily the weather decided to be kind to us and by the time we arrived it was dry, if still cold. We had a lovely time wandering around the grounds and visiting the Hall, it is so near and a hidden treasure.
February is our shortest month and it seems only yesterday I was writing my last Chair’s letter, so I am trying hard to think what I have done, not too much. I did go one of the ‘Funny Way To Be Comedy’ events, Markus Brigstocke. A great evening of laughing, very good for the soul, especially in these worrying times. Still madly practicing the music for the Community Choir March concert, only two days to go. 😱

I joined Annie Clouston and Hazel McCallum at the March Coffee and Chat at Winter’s in Middleton in Tees. We were the drowned rats group as the weather was beyond wet. Never the less we had a good time putting the world to right and reminiscing about the books we have read over the years. Do try and join us at the next one, Thursday 9th April, 2.30-3.30, at the Community Café, Cotherstone.
Last but not least I want to thank Ian Reid for the amazing job he did standing in for the planned speaker at our February meeting. I am always amazed by people who can just produce a thoroughly interesting and fascinating talk at the drop of a hat. Thank you Ian, much appreciated by myself, the committee and our members.

As usual I am looking forward to seeing many of you at the next monthly meeting and catching up with all that you have been doing.

Bye for now

Julie